| Iran National Front, USA | ||
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INF Official Statement |
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We Congratulate the Iranian People for this Latest Victory in their Struggle for Liberty The participation of millions of people in the presidential elections is an indication of the popular desire to determine their own destiny, and is gratifying. The widespread participation of the people in the political scene in order to cast their wishes in an electoral opportunity, despite all the limitations and deficiencies of that electoral opportunity, showed, one more time, the popular sentiment and enthusiasm for a system based on popular sovereignty (democracy) and illustrated the people's dissatisfaction with the Islamic Republic regime and its claims to theologians' sovereignty (rule of the clerics). Considering the harsh political and social conditions that exist in Iran today, the size of the turn out indicates the high level of political maturity of the Iranian people, which is a necessary factor for the advancement of the pro-democracy struggles. The reelection of Mr. Khatami, with close to 78% of the vote, points to the lack of support for the fundamentalist regime. Moreover, it attests to the urgent need of the country for a democratic political system whereby ONLY those who are elected by the people would have possession of state power. Now that Mr. Khatami has been reelected -- due to his public proclamations in support of the rights of the people and his criticisms of the ruling dictatorial powers -- he has to shoulder a grave responsibility. Not only as the President, but as the person who gave his promise to give back to the people their trammeled upon rights, Mr. Khatami is indebted to some 22 million citizens who voted for him. Mr. Khatami is duty-bound to honor the wishes of those who voted for him in order to get rid of the fundamentalist theocratic rule. Therefore, the people expect that the elected President will never sacrifice the basic rights and interests of the people for the interests of his position in the Islamic regime. There is no doubt that Mr. Khatami's unconditional support for the preservation of the Islamic Republic regime, his belief in "the Islamic society" instead of "the civil society," and his equating the two, would be obstacles in the struggle for the establishment of freedom and democracy. Mr. Khatami must realize that he owes his election to those who want real change in Iran. We ask the President and the large majority of reformists in the Majles to rely upon the millions of people who have entered the struggle, and to begin the implementation of the urgent demands of the pro-democracy movement. Our urgent demands include:
We have trust in the deep-seated commitment, stamina, and wisdom of the noble people of Iran. They have manifested their desires in the century-long struggle for freedom and democracy and will continue this struggle until they succeed in establishing popular sovereignty, democracy, and separation of religion from the state. |
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